Prospective Characterization of the Heart, Aorta and Blood Pressure in Turner Syndrome. Association With Aortic Dissection.

Prospective Characterization of the Heart, Aorta and Blood Pressure in Women With Turner Syndrome. Association With Aortic Dissection.

Turner syndrome is a congenital complete or partial lack one of the female sex chromosomes affecting 1 of 2000 live born girls. The syndrome is characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, aortic dilation and dissection, hypertension, stroke and autoimmune diseases in general.

Our study aim is:

• Using MRI to further characterize and find risk factors leading to aortic dilation.
• Using MRI to assess the degree of aortic distensibility.
• Using Computed tomography x-ray scanning of the heart and coronary arteries to characterize the prevalence and degree of ischemic heart disease and coronary anomalies.
• Using pressure sensitive ultrasound (applanation tonometry) to assess the degree of aortic stiffness when compared to controls using end points as Pulse Wave Velocity, Augmentation Index and Central Pulse Pressure.

Turner syndrome is a congenital complete or partial lack one of the female sex chromosomes affecting 1 of 2000 live born girls. The syndrome is characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, aortic dilation and dissection, congenital heart defects, hypertension, stroke, ovarian failure, infertility, decreased final height and autoimmune diseases in general

Our study aim is:

• Using MRI to further characterize and find risk factors leading to aortic dilation.
• Using MRI to describe aortic dimensions
• Using MRI to assess the degree of aortic distensibility.
• Using Computed tomography x-ray scanning of the heart and coronary arteries to characterize the prevalence and degree of ischemic heart disease and coronary anomalies.
• Using pressure sensitive ultrasound (applanation tonometry) to assess the degree of aortic stiffness when compared to controls using end points as Pulse Wave Velocity, Augmentation Index and Central Pulse Pressure.

Inclusion Criteria with respect to individuals acting as controls:

• Healthy age matched females

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications for MRI
• Contraindications for CT
• Severe obesity
• Acute og Chronic disease with known or presumed significance with concern to outcomes of the study
• Previous or present malignant disease
• Clinically significant liver disease
• Mechanic or biological heart valves